Automatic fuel dispensing nozzle

ABSTRACT

An automatic dispensing nozzle for filling a vehicle tank having a control valve automatically responsive both to the rise of fluid around the outlet spout of the nozzle and also to abnormal increase in pressure within the vehicle tank to release a lockout mechanism which effects cut-off of the valve, involving a central, axially movable control pin for controlling a valve lockout mechanism.

United States Patent Mayer 14 1 Nov. 6, 1973 [54] AUTOMATIC FUEL DISPENSING NOZZLE 3,651,837 3/1972 Murray 141/128 [75] Inventor: Edward A. Mayer, Beacon, N.Y.

Primary ExaminerWayne A. Morse, Jr. [73] Assignee. Texaco Inc., New York, NY. AttOmey ThomaS H whaley et all [22] Filed: Sept. 30, 1971 [2 11 Appl. No.: 184,998 [57] ABSTRACT An automatic dispensing nozzle for filling a vehicle [52] US. Cl. 141/128, 251/14 tank having a control valve automatically responsive [5 l] Int. Cl... B67d 5/04, B67d 5/377, Fl6k 31/145 both to the rise of fluid around the outlet spout of the Field of Search 25 1/1 nozzle and also to abnormal increase in pressure within the vehicle tank to release a lockout mechanism which [56] References Cited effects cut-off of the valve, involving a central, axially UNITED STATES PATENTS movable control pin for controlling a valve lockout 3,586,069 6 1971 Vest 141/128 x mechamsm- 3,586,072 6/1971 McGahey... 141/128 3,586,073 6 1971 Vest 141/128 5 4 Drawing FAIENTED 51973 SHEU 2 BF 2 1 AUTOMATIC FUEL DISPENSING NOZZLE The present invention concerns an automatic, flowcontrol fuel dispensing nozzle.

In the present instance it involves a nozzle which is responsive to over-pressure in the fuel tank to cut off automatically, thereby to prevent damage to the fuel tank.

Heretofore it has been a matter of almost universal convention to provide a fuel dispensing nozzle with a vacuum signal responsive lockout plunger which supports the lever controlling the main flow valve of the nozzle. A venturi source associated with the interior of the nozzle normally tends to create a vacuum which is continuously vented by a pressure tap near the tip of the nozzle spout. When, however, a sudden back surge of fuel immerses the vent, a vacuum signal sharply arises, releasing the lockout plunger and terminating the operation of the nozzle. Such a construction is shown in many U.S. Pats, as for example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,085,600. r

The lockout plunger is also useful in other nozzle control systems wherein some other movable mechanical structure is'locked ina predetermined position, re-

leasable instantaneously upon the receipt of such a signal. Such a system is shown, for example, in U.S. Pat.

No. 3,688,813 filed Apr. 19, 1971, wherein, in addition to the lockout plunger controlling the main control valve, a second lockout plunger responds to a similar signal in order'to place in effect a low flow system which causes the flow of fuel to cut off for a predetermined delayperiod and then resume at a substantially lower rate of supply in order to top-off the relatively small residual amount of fuel required to fill the tank.

The present invention is' concerned with controlling of such lockout plungers in automatic fuel dispensing nozzles in response, also, to over-pressures in the fuel tank. It thus operates in so-called closed systems, namely the type of system in which the fuel dispensing nozzle is caused to make a tight or sealing engagement with the inlet pipe of the fuel tank.

In such systems the fuel tank, beingfilled, will necessarily have to be vented in some way. Therefore, interruption of venting as by blockage of the vent, will result in an internal pressure increase.

It is the object of the present invention toprevent excessive pressure increase within the vehicle fuel tank by automatically terminating or reducing the inflow of fuel to the fuel tank when the pressure rise reaches some.

predetermined amount. I

This is accomplished by modification of the lockout plunger which controls the fuel supply, preferably (as in accordance with the more conventional types) in response to a vacuum signal, such as that which is set up as a result of a surge of fuel about the vent at the tip of the nozzle. This is more specifically accomplished in the present invention by causing a control pin, which dominates the action of the lockout plunger, to respond mate effect of releasing the lockout plunger and initiating the desired valve controlling operations.

That is to say, the diaphragm is subjected at all times to the pressure in the fuel tank of the vehicle; likewise being subjected to a potential vacuum creating venturi mechanism which, except when acting asa fill signal, is vented within the tank of the vehicle.

Now therefore, if a surge of fluid about the vent creates a vacuum signal in the system, it is transmitted to the diaphragm, raising (for example) the pin and unlocking the lockout plunger.

By the same token if, however, in lieu of the foregoing, a pressure rise takes place in the vehicle fuel tank as a result ofplugging the fuel tank venting means, then a predetermined and substantial pressure rise on the same side of the diaphragm, as before, will cause the diaphragm to move the control pin downwardly, resulting in the same effect as before.

In order to illustrate one preferred form of the present invention, reference is made to the figures of the attached drawing wherein: FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a dispensing nozzle embodying the present invention, the spout being shown as being in sealing engagement with the inlet pipe of a fuel tank, parts vbeing broken away to show the internal structure.

FIG. 2 is a detailed elevational view taken centrally through the central portion of the valve shown in FIG. 1, between the spout and the handle section, showing the essential internal parts thereof.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged detail of the upper central portion of the view shown in FIG. 2, but showing the parts in a somewhat different operating position.

FIG. 4 is yet a more detailed view, essentially identical with that shown in FIG. 3, but with the parts in another operating position.

By way of introduction, it is important to note that the present dispensing nozzle, except for certain details of the lockout plunger controls, as will be hereinafter described in detail, are essentially identical with that construction disclosed and claimed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,688,813. For that reason the foregoing structure,

' upon which the present invention is an improvement,

will not be described in'detail. Suffice to say that main valve assembly 10, shown in open position in FIG. 4, has been raised to this position by valve stem 11 and hand lever 12, which, in turn, is mounted on fulcrum 13 of lockout plunger 14. Specifically, therefore, lockout plunger 14 controls main valve assembly 10.

A secondary lockout assembly 16 controls a secondary valve 17 which is ordinarily locked positively to the main valve 10.

When, however, the initial vacuum signal, caused by the initial rise of fuel around the spout of the nozzle,

acts upon the secondary lockout assembly 16 this instantaneously releases the locking interconnection so that valve 17 is closed (without closing valve 10). This then permits a secondary bleed valve system 18 to go into operation so that poppet valve 19 is ultimately enabled to bleed a small amount of fuel thru valve 10 at a controlled, relatively low topping-off rate of flow.

It is the modification of the lockout plunger construction and control and, by way of example, the lockout plungers identified respectively as 14 and 16, which characterizes the present invention. Referring therefore more specifically to plunger 16 shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, sleeve 20 thereof forms an integral part of secondary poppet valve 17. Sleeve is, however, ordinarily locked positively and rigidly to internal sleeve 22 which forms an integral and upwardly projecting part of the lower or main valve 10. This locking effect is accomplished by an annularly spaced series of steel balls 24 which normally reside in separate radial slots as shown in the internal sleeve 22. A central control pin extending axially of the lockout plunger 26, is provided with a central, enlarged portion 28 which holds the steel balls 24 radially outwardly against shoulders 30 formed on the inner face of the outer sleeve 20.

Coil spring 31, pressing downwardly on inner sleeve 22, urges it, in the absence of other forces, downwardly with respect to sleeve 20 and thus to the position shown in FIG. 4 wherein the steel balls will engage the shoulder 30 as shown.

Also, it is to be noted that flexible diaphragm 34, to which pin 26 is attached, is normally biased to an intermediate position between upper coil spring 36 and lower coil spring 38, as shown in FIG. 2, so that the operative portion 28 of pin 26 normally resides between the balls 24, holding them radially outwardly in locking position.

Probably the most important structural feature of the present invention involves the upper and lower reduced portions 40 and 42 of pin 26 which are located respectively above and below the expanded section 28. They merge with the normal expanded body of the pin 26 through frusto conical sections 44 and 46 respectively.

Therefore, it will be apparent that movement of the pin in either longitudinal direction, whether up or down, as shown in the figures, will result in instantaneous release of the steel balls 24, which will drop inwardly in sharp and sudden release of the lockout device or plunger.

Thus the elements so locked together are instantaneously released so that they are disconnected and operate independently.

Accordingly, therefore, if the space above the diaphragm 34, herein identified as chamber 48, is, as described in my aforementioned copending application, in communication with the source of control signal but otherwise sealed, the diaphragm will move in response to this signal. This follows from the fact that the lower side of the diaphragm in the present embodiment is maintained at atmospheric pressure by virtue of venting passageway 50.

Accordingly in the conventional operation, with the spout 52 of the nozzle sealingly engaged as at 54 with fill pipe 56 of the vehicle fuel tank, when the initial surge of fuel covers vent 58, the vacuum signal set up as aforesaid, is transmitted via conduit 60 and the rest of the system, disclosed in my copending application, to chamber 48. As heretofore implied, this will occur when the dispensing nozzle is in operation with the valve in wide open position, as shown in FIG. 1. The result is shown in more detail in FIG. 3 wherein the vacuum signal in chamber 48 has raised flexible diaphragm 34 against coilspring 36, retracting pin 26 upwardly and permitting the steel balls 24 to drop inwardly, and thus instantaneously release the lockout plunger mechanism as shown.

On the other hand, let it be assumed that instead of a vacuum signal reaching chamber 48, the vehicle fuel tank suddenly becomes subject to an excessive, internal pressure, due, for example, to failure of its vent system then chamber 48 is, by the same token, subject to a positive pressure above atmospheric which drives diaphragm 34 and control pin 26 downwardly as shown more clearly in FIG. 4. As a result of this condition the frusto conical surface 44 of the pin just above enlarged section 28 moves downwardly to where the slim or restricted portion 40 of the spindle is opposite the balls 24, again permitting them to drop and unlock instantaneously. Again, therefore, the valve 17 is disconnected from the main valve 10 thus permitting it to close by the action of its downwardly acting valve spring 62 while valve 10 remains open.

In order to understand the effect of this operation, reference is made to my aforementioned copending application Ser. No. 134,992, filed Apr. 19, 1971, the complete disclosure of which is included herein by reference.

Briefly, however, as a result of either of the foregoing functions, pressure is raised in the bleed chamber 18, permitting valve 19 to resume flow thru main valve 10 at a predetermined, relatively low topping-off rate. At the same time valve control means actuated by the position of the valve 17 preferably determines the disposition of the control signal.

As a result therefore, the subsequent control signal is directed to the lockout plunger control 14 of the main valve. Therefore, in conventional fashion, when the topping-off is completed and the fuel again rises above the spout, the vacuum control releases the main valve 10. That is to say, lockout plunger 14 is constructed in the same manner as lockout plunger 16 to unlock in response to a vacuum signal.

Also, .by the same token, any continuance of overpressure will produce the same effect.

To accomplish this latter function it is to be noted that the valve lockout plunger mechanism 14, as shown specifically in FIG. 2, in structural detail corresponds generally to that of the previously mentioned lockout mechanism. For example, the lower surface of diaphragm 66 is subjected at all times to atmospheric pressure by virtue of duct 68.

The upper surface of diaphragm 66 is subject to the pressure prevailing in chamber 70 thereabove which, as previously mentioned, is subject to the control signal, directed as aforesaid. Again the diaphragm is balanced between upper coil spring 72 and lower coil spring 74. Control pin 76, attached to diaphragm 66, has a relatively large central portion 78 which normally holds retaining balls 80 outwardly within radial recesses which are provided in central lockout plunger 82. This holds the balls against annular frusto conical shoulder 84 in the outer sleeve, locking the parts in position.

When a vacuum signal is received by chamber 70 (due, for example, to closure of vent 58), diaphragm 66 retracts pin 76 upwardly permitting the balls 80 to ride down frusto conical section 86 of control pin, instantaneously unlocking the plunger 82.

Conversely, when a pressure signal is transmitted to chamber 70 above the diaphragm 66 (via tube 60, for example), the diaphragm is forced downardly whereby the balls move radially inwardly along frusto conical surface 88 onto spindle 90, performing the same function. The instantaneous release of the lockout plunger permits fulcrum 13 to be shot downwardly by the superior force of the main valve spring 11, terminating the operation of the device. It may be noted that in both of the control pins 26 and 76 the relatively expanded portions of the pins 28 and 78 respectively, which hold the steel lockout balls in locking position, are inclined slightly in an upward direction.

This follows from the fact peculiar to the present design that the vacuum signal ordinarily tends to be more forceful than the pressure signal. Stated in another way, positive overpressures which can be damaging to current fuel tanks are presently considerably lower than pressures which can be created in the conventional vacuum signal system by the order of several times. For this reason the control surface of the pin is adapted to the weaker signal by a minor inclination in an axial direction.

The present invention accordingly provides a lockout plunger modification adapted to many various adaptations of this mechanical element, permitting it to respond selectively in the same manner to either pressure or vacuum signals.

Other inventions which I have developed for accomplishing a similar function are described and claimed in U.S. applications Ser. No. 185,998 and Ser. No. 204,134.

I claim:

1. ln an automatic dispensing nozzle for liquid fuel and the like, wherein control valve (l0)for said fluid is mounted upon a lockout plunger (16) which is normally locked in operative position by radially acting locking members (24) held in radially outward locking position by a central, axially extending control pin (26), but which is released instantaneously to close said valve by axially retracting said control pin (26) to release said locking members (24) radially inwardly, said pin (26) being attached to a flexible diaphragm (34) subject to a vacuum signal to retract said pin (26) thereby permitting said locking members (24) to unlock said lockout plunger (16),

the improvement which comprises an expanded portion (28) of said control pin (26) normally residing radially inwardly of said locking members (24) and holding their radially outwardly locking position,

said expanding portion (28) terminating in both axial directions therefrom in constricted portions (40 means (58, 60) for transmitting said vacuum signal to one side of said diaphragm (34) to retract said pin (26) to release said locking members (24) and,

means for transmitting (58, 60) a positive pressure signal to said surface of the diaphragm (34) to move said diaphragm and said attached control pin (26) in the opposite axial direction, thereby also to release said locking members (24).

2. An automatic dispensing nozzle as called for in claim 1 wherein said nozzle is adapted to be connected with a vehicle fuel tank in tight or sealing engagement therewith and wherein means is provided for creating said vacuum signal in response to the rise of fluid around the outlet spout of the dispensing nozzle.

3. An automatic dispensing nozzle as called for in claim 1 wherein said nozzle is adapted to be connected with a vehicle fuel tank in tight or sealing engagement therewith and wherein means is provided for creating said vacuum signal in response to the rise of fluid around the outlet spout of the dispensing nozzle, and

wherein conduit means is provided in communication with the interior of the vehicle fuel tank to transmit the ambient pressure therein, as said positive pressure signal when the pressure rises above a predetermined value in said vehicle fuel tank.

4. An automatic dispensing nozzle as called for in claim 1, wherein said lockout plunger is responsive to the initial vacuum signal caused by the initial rise of fuel about the outlet spout of the nozzle to control an automatic topping-off operation.

5. An automatic dispensing nozzle as called for in claim 1 wherein said lockout plunger is responsive to the final vacuum signal resulting from the rise of fuel about the outlet spout of the nozzle of the fuel tank at the conclusion of a topping-off operation.

l l l 

1. In an automatic dispensing nozzle for liquid fuel and the like, wherein control valve (10)for said fluid is mounted upon a lockout plunger (16) which is normally locked in operative position by radially acting locking members (24) held in radially outward locking position by a central, axially extending control pin (26), but which is released Instantaneously to close said valve (10) by axially retracting said control pin (26) to release said locking members (24) radially inwardly, said pin (26) being attached to a flexible diaphragm (34) subject to a vacuum signal to retract said pin (26) thereby permitting said locking members (24) to unlock said lockout plunger (16), the improvement which comprises an expanded portion (28) of said control pin (26) normally residing radially inwardly of said locking members (24) and holding their radially outwardly locking position, said expanding portion (28) terminating in both axial directions therefrom in constricted portions (40, 42), means (58, 60) for transmitting said vacuum signal to one side of said diaphragm (34) to retract said pin (26) to release said locking members (24) and, means for transmitting (58, 60) a positive pressure signal to said surface of the diaphragm (34) to move said diaphragm and said attached control pin (26) in the opposite axial direction, thereby also to release said locking members (24).
 2. An automatic dispensing nozzle as called for in claim 1 wherein said nozzle is adapted to be connected with a vehicle fuel tank in tight or sealing engagement therewith and wherein means is provided for creating said vacuum signal in response to the rise of fluid around the outlet spout of the dispensing nozzle.
 3. An automatic dispensing nozzle as called for in claim 1 wherein said nozzle is adapted to be connected with a vehicle fuel tank in tight or sealing engagement therewith and wherein means is provided for creating said vacuum signal in response to the rise of fluid around the outlet spout of the dispensing nozzle, and wherein conduit means is provided in communication with the interior of the vehicle fuel tank to transmit the ambient pressure therein, as said positive pressure signal when the pressure rises above a predetermined value in said vehicle fuel tank.
 4. An automatic dispensing nozzle as called for in claim 1, wherein said lockout plunger is responsive to the initial vacuum signal caused by the initial rise of fuel about the outlet spout of the nozzle to control an automatic topping-off operation.
 5. An automatic dispensing nozzle as called for in claim 1 wherein said lockout plunger is responsive to the final vacuum signal resulting from the rise of fuel about the outlet spout of the nozzle of the fuel tank at the conclusion of a topping-off operation. 